The list of unwanted records broken by Moyes is as embarrassing as it is long. United are guaranteed to end the season with their worst points total in Premier League history, they have failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in almost two decades while Moyes’ home record is the worst of any United boss since 1978 when Dave Sexton was in charge.

The Red Devils are seventh in the Barclays Premier League with four matches to go, with Europa League qualification now also looking unlikely.

Moyes won 27, drew nine and lost 15 of his 51 games in charge.

The Scot was dogged by claims he was not up to the job ever since he took over last July.

Moyes had enjoyed 11 critically-acclaimed years at Everton, leading the club to five top-six finishes. The Toffees qualified for the Champions League for the first time under Moyes’ stewardship – although they lost in the qualifying stages of the competition – and he also took the Merseyside club to the FA Cup final in 2009.

But all those achievements were small fry compared to what his predecessor achieved.

The enormity of the task in hand seemed to overwhelm Moyes from day one.